> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://help.paintscout.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://help.paintscout.com/support/estimating/estimating-with-paintscout.md).

# Estimating Overview

{% hint style="success" %}
**Start here:** New to PaintScout estimating? Begin with [Understanding Production Rates](/support/customization/pricing-and-rates/introduction-to-production-rate-estimation.md) and [Calculate Your Hourly Rate](/support/customization/pricing-and-rates/how-to-calculate-your-hourly-rate.md).
{% endhint %}

PaintScout helps you build consistent estimates from your production rates, hourly rate, line items, and customer-ready proposals. This section covers the full workflow, from creating an estimate to sending it, managing revisions, and sharing work orders with your crew.

## In This Section

* [Creating Estimates](/support/estimating/creating-estimates.md) — Start a new estimate, learn the estimate page, use the sidebar, and manage estimate actions
* [Areas & Rates](/support/estimating/areas-and-rates.md) — Add areas and production rates, then adjust dimensions, coats, and prep hours
* [Line Items & Options](/support/estimating/line-items-and-options.md) — Add fixed-price work, create customer options, and manage change orders
* [Organizing Estimates](/support/estimating/organizing-estimates.md) — Group content, hide internal items, copy estimate content, and add media
* [Notes & Communication](/support/estimating/notes-and-communication.md) — Use estimator notes, crew notes, and other note types to keep everyone aligned
* [Sending & Acceptance](/support/estimating/sending-and-acceptance.md) — Send proposals, collect signatures, and understand the customer acceptance flow
* [Managing Estimates](/support/estimating/managing-estimates.md) — Review activity, restore versions, search, export, and archive estimates
* [Work Orders](/support/estimating/work-orders.md) — Create crew-facing work orders, share them, and support another language when needed

## Recommended first reads

* [Understanding Production Rates](/support/customization/pricing-and-rates/introduction-to-production-rate-estimation.md) — Learn how PaintScout turns measurements into hours and pricing
* [Calculate Your Hourly Rate](/support/customization/pricing-and-rates/how-to-calculate-your-hourly-rate.md) — Build an hourly rate that covers costs and profit
* [What is a Sales Rate?](/support/estimating/creating-estimates/what-is-a-sales-rate.md) — Understand total price compared to total project hours


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